Home Help: Eliminate garage grime

Weekly home and garden rail, with items on tidying your garage, how to transform rooms once dedicated to kids, painting tips, and more.

Home Improvements: Simple solutions to a cluttered garage

All winter long you kept the garage door shut, but summertime means it is inevitably going to be open. You don't want to be embarrassed when the neighbors stop by, do you?

This year, after you're done wrestling the two most important summer accessories out of your garage -- the grill and the lawn mower -- take the time to give the space a thorough cleaning and update. There are a number of simple steps you can take to make a transformation:

Colorful and durable paint

There's no rule against painting the walls of your garage something other than white. But, choosing paint for your garage is more than color. Garage paint has to be strong enough to withstand grime, water and general dirt.

Paints like Pratt & Lambert's Porcelain line are designed to create an impenetrable film that doesn't allow dirt and stains to set in. It's even strong enough to handle scrubbing with a sponge.

Power wash and kitty clean

Once you have the walls sealed and painted, you can now power wash the concrete floor without concern about damaging exposed drywall. Many large home and hardware stores will rent out power washers by the hour or day.

Once the floor is clean, break out the kitty litter – it’s an excellent absorbent and can remove those hard-to-clean oil stains. Simply spread the kitty litter on the stain and use a heavy object, such as a brick, to work the kitty litter into the stain. Once it's worked in, let it sit for a few hours before sweeping up. Finish by taking a stiff-bristled brush and some soapy water to clean any remaining residue.

Waterproofed and weatherized

One way to combat the wear and tear on your garage floor is to consider waterproofing the concrete with a protective coating.

Just about every garage in America has the standard-issue white organizer shelving. Though the shelving does provide functionality, it still doesn't look clean.

Instead of shelving, install storage cabinets. There are dozens of industrial grade and strength garage storage cabinets that will help hide all of the small items that you store in your garage behind magnetic, closable doors.

Once you've cleaned and sealed the floor, painted the walls and housed all your miscellaneous tools and supplies in storage cabinets, you're ready for the fun part: relaxing and enjoying your summer.

-- ARA

Decorating Tip: Ideas for rooms once dedicated to kids

If you're a new empty-nester, it's time to think about how you will redecorate and repurpose spaces in your home that have been kid-controlled for so long.

- The quickest way to help a kid's room grow up -- after you remove the bunk beds and lava lamp -- is to repaint walls in neutral, sophisticated tones; replace worn, stained carpet; and replace kid-friendly curtains in primary colors with drapes in more subtle patterns and hues.

- Transform a play area by clearing out kid-specific items and bringing in that big-screen, high-def plasma TV you didn't buy before because you couldn't bear the thought of sticky fingerprints all over it.

- Freshen the decor of a rec room with adult colors, or further personalize the space with an easy-to-hang wallpaper mural.

-- ARA

Home-Selling Tip: Check the temperature

When showing your home to potential buyers, you want the temperature inside to be comfortable. Give the buyer more of a reason to linger, especially on hot or cold days.

If weather permits, open the windows; however, if there is too much noise outside, close them.

If it's cold enough to wear a sweater to stay warm, turn on the heat. Similarly, if it’s steamy outside, make sure your home is cool and comfortable.

-- Century 21

How To: Paint like a professional

Even if you’re a first time painter, there's no need to worry. Just follow these simple tips:

- Choose between oil-based and latex: Oil-based paints go on thicker and you usually need just one coat. Latex paints give off less of an odor, dry faster and retain color better than the oil variety.

Unifying blooming and foliage plants in gardens has become a popular trend because it allows homeowners to think outside the box of traditional flowerbeds. Here are some tips on balancing your garden selections:

- Use strong textural contrasts instead of bright colors alone. A mix of matte and velvet-like foliage may be best for this style, with groupings of smooth and serrated edges.

- Introducing soft hues blended with striking color contrasts adds range and seems to extend the space. Plant colors such as silver, auburn, russet and deep green will also add a calming effect and develop a sense of assortment.

- By choosing colors such as yellow, chartreuse, bright reds and greens, a foliage garden will take on a more vibrant energy. When trying to make an impact, pair several bright- and true-green foliage varieties of different textures in an area with one or two unusual foliage colors.

-- ARA

Backyard Buddies

Just like birds, nest boxes and birdhouses come in many shapes and sizes. You can make your own nest boxes or purchase them already made. Look for these design features: